ᐅ How do I secure Ikea Pax wardrobes in older buildings?

Hello everyone,

I am currently planning to install Ikea Pax wardrobes in my older apartment. The rooms are quite old, with walls made of solid masonry (partly brick, partly calcium silicate blocks) and partially crumbling plaster. The walls are not always perfectly even. My question is: How can I securely and safely attach Ikea Pax wardrobes to this type of older masonry without damaging the structure or risking insecure anchoring?

I have read that special anchors or fixings are often necessary for older buildings, but I am not very familiar with the exact materials and requirements. Are there specific fastening methods that have proven effective for uneven and crumbling masonry?

I look forward to your advice, especially regarding suitable anchors, screws, or alternative mounting methods.

Thanks in advance!

There are some basic recommendations to consider when mounting Ikea Pax wardrobes on older building structures:

- First, carefully check the wall condition: Is the plaster really crumbly or does it hold firmly? A clean and stable surface is essential.
- For solid masonry (brick, calcium silicate blocks), use high-quality wall anchors that are suited to the specific substrate. Universal anchors are usually not sufficient.
- Stainless steel expansion anchors or metal anchors often provide better holding power.
- If the plaster is crumbly: it is best to completely remove it in the anchoring area before installation.
- Alternatively, mounting on solid wood panels (mounting boards) fixed to the wall can help distribute the pressure more evenly.
- Always use the wall fixings supplied with the Ikea Pax wardrobe; these are designed for conventional walls but should be combined with appropriate anchors.

Avoid standard plastic anchors if the substrate is fragile. Instead, opt for metal anchors or chemical anchors (injection mortar).

In summary: A precise on-site material assessment is crucial to select the appropriate anchors. Safety comes first – it’s better to invest in good anchors.

Great question—mounting can definitely be tricky with older buildings! 😊

I had the same issue and can only recommend using so-called heavy-duty anchors! They are specially designed for uneven and crumbly walls and hold very securely! 😎

I also found it helpful to thoroughly tap off the plaster and remove any loose mortar before installation. Even though it takes a bit of effort, it’s worth it.

Don’t hesitate to install a larger backing plate for support—that helps distribute the load and protects the wall. Good luck, you’ve got this! 👍

Always use metal anchors or chemical anchors. Plastic anchors are too unreliable in crumbling masonry. Remove plaster beforehand and chisel out the anchor holes cleanly.

To ensure a secure installation of Ikea Pax wardrobes in older buildings, some technical details should be considered. The main challenge with old walls is the condition of the material and uneven surfaces. Brick and calcium silicate blocks have different density and compressive strength values, which significantly influence the choice of fasteners.

Step 1: Assess and prepare the wall condition.

- Remove loose plaster and clean the underlying layers.
- Possibly prime the surface if it is very porous.

Step 2: Choose the appropriate anchors.

- For crumbly masonry, metal expansion anchors and heavy-duty anchors are suitable.
- Chemical anchors with injection mortar are an option but somewhat more complex to apply.

Step 3: Consider a mounting plate.

- A well-secured mounting plate (e.g., plywood) can help distribute the load more evenly.
- Fix this plate to the wall first, then attach the Pax wardrobe to it.

Step 4: Screws and fixing options.

- Use at least grade 8.8 screws.
- Screw length should embed 8–10cm (3–4 inches) into the wall.

I recommend checking the exact wall thickness and materials on site to select the appropriate anchors. What types of walls do you have exactly? Are they load-bearing interior walls or non-load-bearing partitions? Loads vary accordingly.

ARTEMISMI schrieb:
The rooms are quite old, the walls consist of solid masonry (partly brick, partly calcium silicate blocks) with partly crumbling plaster, and the walls are not always completely even.

How large are the unevenness? What load do you expect per wardrobe approximately? More detailed information will help better advise on the fastening options.

Domau0 schrieb:
How large are the unevennesses? What approximate load do you expect per cabinet? More precise information helps to better address the mounting options.

Thank you for the detailed answer! I would estimate the unevenness to be up to 1 cm (0.4 inches) in thickness, with slightly more in some areas, but that can be evened out with filler. The load per cabinet will likely be at least 80–100 kg (175–220 lbs) when fully loaded—the cabinet itself also adds some weight. The walls are load-bearing, so they are not thin drywall partitions.

I will probably need to look into a mounting panel first, as that seems like a reasonable solution since the walls are partly uneven. Are there any recommendations on which wood panels would be suitable to provide enough stability without being too heavy?